Watch: Carlos Alcaraz surprised by his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero ahead of Miami final clash
Carlos Alcaraz will play his first Masters 1000 final in a few hours, when he takes on Casper Ruud in Miami.
Unfortunately for Alcaraz, the man who has coached him all the way to this enviable position could not be with the Spaniard during the tournament due to personal reasons.
Ferrero, a former World No. 1 on the ATP tour and a former Roland Garros champion, is back home in Spain following the recent passing away of his father Eduardo. Alcaraz even signed the camera lens with a heartfelt message to show his support for the 42-year-old after his quarter-final win over Miomir Kecmanovic.
But on Sunday, the World No. 16 received the best possible surprise he could have wished for. Relaxing in the hotel alongside his team in anticipation of the clash, the teenager was greeted by Ferrero, who had flown all the way to be with his protege before the most important match of his career to date.
The two exchanged the warmest of hugs, with Ferrero giving Alcaraz a few pats on the back to show his appreciation for a job well done so far. Meanwhile, the rest of Carlos Alcaraz's entourage were just as surprised by the visit, and showed their excitement with loud cheers of approval.
Carlos Alcaraz could become the youngest champion in Miami Open history with a win against Casper Ruud
Carlos Alcaraz already has a few "youngest-ever" records to his name and he can add more to that list with a win against Casper Ruud. A victory for the World No. 16 would make him the youngest champion in the tournament's 37-year history.
#MiamiOpen Final Media Notes: atptour.com/en/media/daily…
* @AlcarazCarlos03, 18, bids to break @DjokerNole's record as youngest @MiamiOpen men's champion
* Alcaraz would be 3rd-youngest #ATPMasters1000 champion (283 events)
* @CasperRuud98 plays 10th and biggest @ATPTour final (7-2)
The record is currently held by Novak Djokovic, who won the 2007 edition when he was 19 years and nine months old. At the age of 18 years and 10 months, Alcaraz could beat the Serb's record by almost an entire year. On top of that, the teenager will also become the third-youngest Masters 1000 champion, behind only Michael Chang and idol Rafael Nadal if he defeats Ruud.
18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz vs 23-year-old Casper Ruud 🌟
Who wins their first Masters 1000 title?!
Stream the 2022 #MiamiOpen final live today on Tennis TV: tnn.is/App https://t.co/wqzvKy31BP
But Ruud is not to be underestimated. The World No. 8 trails 1-0 in the head-to-head against Carlos Alcaraz, having lost their previous encounter at the 2021 Andalucia Open, but has been just as solid as his opponent in Miami.
The Norwegian has defeated three seeded players en route to the final - Alexander Bublik, Cameron Norrie and Alexander Zverev - and will be looking to win his first Masters 1000 title as well. A victory on Sunday will make Ruud the first-ever Norwegian to win an ATP 1000 event.